Crime Victim Advocate (PS21)

Position Summary

The Benton County is currently seeking for a Crime Victim Advocate to join the team. This position provides services to crime victims by assisting victims as they exercise their rights and utilize available services.

This is a temporary position not to exceed 1040 hours in a fiscal year.
Position may be assigned to work in the Courthouse and/or the Juvenile Department.

Essential Functions

Inform Victims of Rights and Resources

• 
  Analyze new cases to identify crime victims requiring services.
• Accurately and concisely document all activities in District Attorney Case Management System (PbK).
• Advise victims of their rights as mandated by law.
• Provide written notification of court events and document compliance with victim rights and services.
• Prepare and file documents with the court. Provide all relevant documents, brochures, and contact information of agencies for victim throughout case prosecution and post-disposition.
• Clearly explain the Criminal Justice System to victims and provide case specific information as appropriate.
• Accompany victims to appearances or attend on their behalf as requested and provide support in the grand jury and trial process.
• Refer victims to agencies or programs for assistance and assists in completing applications and forms.
• Provide information about stalking, SAPO and FAPA protective orders.
• Provides interpreter services to Spanish speaking victims if appropriate.
• Translate and create Spanish language documents if appropriate.

Act as Liaison between Victim, Prosecutor and Court

• Prepares requests for no-contact deletions on defendant release agreements for filing with the court and assisting in scheduling of objection hearings.
• Ensures victim impact statements are provided to prosecutors, defense attorneys, and the court.
• Assist victims in recovery of property and/or restitution for stolen and damaged property.
• Obtain and document restitution information and file with the court as appropriate.
• Provide information to prosecutors regarding lack of payment of restitution for probation violations.
• Assist victims and prosecutors with victim health information needs by preparing medical releases and release of information to speak with other agencies that are providing services to victims.
• Facilitate victims' right to defendant HIV/STD testing.
• Assist prosecutors in cases with victim-related needs.
• Prepares and files court documents as directed by the DDA.
• Coordinates victim schedule for meetings, grand jury, trial, and other court hearings.
• Provide information by telephone and/or by letter to named victims of law enforcement investigations which are declined for prosecution.

Manage Grants

• Support Program Manager in writing and managing local, state, and federal grants including compiling statistics for grant reporting.
• Provide support in training and working with victim services interns.

Minimum Qualifications

The following minimum qualification are required for this position:

• 
  High School Diploma or GED equivalent.
• 4 years of experience in the field of Human or Social Services, Psychology, Criminal Justice, Victim's Outreach Services, Community Justice or a closely related field. Experience with Prosecutor by Karpel (PbK) required.
  • Knowledge of the juvenile and adult criminal justice system and legal procedure including state and local laws, legal terminology and court processes/procedures preferred.
  • Considerable knowledge of legal office practices, procedures, documents and terminology, victimology, stress and crisis intervention techniques; court procedures and processes; and business English, grammar and composition.
  • Skills in operating basic office equipment including a personal computer utilizing word processing software. Skills in interacting with people under stressful conditions.

An equivalent combination of education and experience may be accepted.

Special requirements:

• Spanish bilingual reading and writing skills preferred but not required.
• Valid Oregon Driver's License required within 30 days of hire.
• Must become a Notary Public and obtain and maintain a valid ODL within the first month of employment.
• Must complete the State Victim Assistance Academy, Basic Victim Advocacy Certification within the first year of employment.
• Hiring requires successful completion of a criminal background investigation and ongoing compliance with all Federal State and Local statutes.

The ideal candidates would have the ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing; ability to meet and deal effectively with the public and other employees; ability to make decisions independently in accordance with established policies and procedures, and to use judgment in carrying out tasks and responsibilities; ability to maintain strict confidentiality; and to establish and maintain records, reports and other data, and the ability to work under tight deadlines.

Additional Information

Hiring is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check.
This is a FLSA non-exempt position.

Positions in this class typically require: reaching, standing, walking, fingering, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, seeing and repetitive motions. Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time.

Benton County is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer committed to work force diversity, fair employment practices and non-discrimination, including pay equity for all employees. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, marital status, family status, national origin, age, mental or physical disability, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or source of income.

If you wish to identify yourself as an individual with a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and will be requesting accommodation, please contact the Benton County Human Resources Department by calling (541)766-6081 or email recruiting@co.benton.or.us